Rajkot(Gujarat): A Superintendent of CGST in Rajkot and a private tax consultant have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. They were allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe to settle a fraud inquiry linked to unpaid GST and fraudulent bills. The trap was carried out on April 28 at the Creative Complex near Rajkot bus station after a citizen complained to authorities about the alleged demand.
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Bribe Demand Allegedly Began at ₹25 Lakh
According to the report, the case began when Mukeshkumar Manbodh Kumar, a Superintendent of CGST in Rajkot, allegedly demanded ₹25 lakh to settle an investigation concerning unpaid GST and the creation of fraudulent bills. After negotiations, the amount was reportedly reduced to ₹20 lakh.
The complainant, who refused to pay the illegal gratification, approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Officials then laid a trap to verify and intercept the alleged transaction.
Consultant Accused of Acting as Middleman
The CGST Superintendent allegedly instructed the complainant to hand over the cash to Akash Kaloliya, described in the report as a private tax consultant. Kaloliya was allegedly acting as a middleman in the transaction.
The ACB team intercepted the transaction at the Creative Complex near Rajkot bus station. The report said the entire bribe amount of ₹20 lakh was recovered on the spot.
ACB Team Recovers Cash, Files Case
The trap was conducted under the supervision of Assistant Director JD Mewada and Deputy Director Baldevsinh Vaghela. An ACB team led by Inspector AA Khokhar successfully carried out the operation.
Both the central government official and the consultant were apprehended. They have been charged under the relevant provisions of law, according to the report.
